28 events worth checking out in Toronto this August

Even though we’re about to enter the final weeks of summer, there are plenty of things to do over the next 31 days while enjoying the sunshine.

From amazing summer music festivals to mouth-watering foodie events, here are the best events taking place this month so you won’t have any trouble staying entertained.

See also:

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Open Roof Festival

What: Open Roof Festival will be back for its tenth season this summer will feature live music and film screenings with food and drinks. And remember: The event has moved from Sudbury Street to Sterling Road in the Lower Junction Triangle near the new site of MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art).

When: On now until August 22
Time: Event kicks off at 7 pm, music at 8 pm, movie at 9 pm
Where: Sterling Road in the Lower Junction Triangle (the lot adjacent to 158 Sterling Road)
Price: $15

The Office! A Musical Parody

What: In case you’ve already re-watched The Office for the umpteenth time on Netflix, you’ll soon have the chance to see your favourite paper company employees live on for another day. This summer, the off-Broadway performance, The Office! A Musical Parody is heading to Toronto for a four-week run at Mirvish’s CAA Theatre.

When: From July 30 to August 25
Time: Tuesday to Saturday, 8 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 2 pm; Sunday evening, 7 pm
Where: CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge Street
Price: From $42

Shakespeare in High Park

What: The untraditional rendition of Shakespeare returns on July 4 and will run until September 1. The long-running outdoor theatre event is celebrating its 37th year and takes on two classics this year. This summer’s plays include the comedic tale of love and desire, Much Ado About Nothing, and the timeless story of morality and power, Measure For Measure.

When: Tuesday to Sunday, July 4 to September 1
Time: All performances begin at 8 pm
Where: High Park Amphitheatre
Price: Tickets are pay-what-you-can

The Funhouse

What: Queen Street West is about to get a brand new immersive installation. And it’s going to be a houseful of fun. Toronto-based art collective Mondo Forma and Universal Music Canada are bringing The Funhouse to downtown. The immersive, experiential art maze, inspired by music and created in collaboration with some of Toronto’s most exciting artists, and will open this Saturday.

When: On now through to September
Time: Doors open at 10 am
Where: 101 Lisgar Street
Price: $28 general admission

Serge Ibaka x Topik Wear Pop-Up

 

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What: NBA Champion and Toronto Raptor, Serge Ibaka, has partnered with a Toronto Startup Underwear Brand Topik Wear and together they are hosting an exclusive Men’s Underwear launch this week. Serge Ibaka will be in attendance at the pop-up’s launch party on August 1 and will be discussing the Serge Ibaka Foundation and the vision of Topik Wear. The pop-up will also have fun activations, games, raffle giveaways, and more.

When: August 1 and 2
Time: Thursday, 6:30 pm to 10 pm (19+ event); Friday, 1 pm to 7 pm
Where: Yorkville Village
Price: Private pop-up (August 1) $140, a portion of proceeds will be donated to the Serge Ibaka Foundation.

Caribana Weekend

What: Now in its 52nd year, Caribana weekend will take over Toronto this August for a massive, city-wide celebration featuring Caribbean music, dance, costume, parties, and food.

When: August 1 to 4
Where: Multiple venues
Price: Varies by event

VELD

What: If you didn’t get enough of your electronic music fill at Dreams Festival (and are feeling particularly ambitious), you can make up for it in your costume-clad glory at the annual Veld Music Festival.

When: August 3 and 4
Where: Downsview Park, Downsview Park Allen Road
Price: Full weekend from $269.50

Rogers Cup

What: Toronto is the centre of the tennis world as the Rogers Cup returns for another exciting year of intense tennis matches.

When: August 3 to 11
Where: Aviva Centre: York University, 1 Shoreham Drive, Suite 100

Toronto Rum Festival

What: The Toronto Rum Festival seeks to be the newest addition to the event calendar of Toronto Carnival. This festival will professionally showcase various Rum of the Caribbean while creating a true Caribbean atmosphere through live entertainment, competition, and the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Caribbean.

When: August 4
Time: 12 to 7 pm
Where: Ontario Place – West Island, 955 Lakeshore Blvd West
Price: $30

OVO Fest 2019

What: Drake’s ninth OVO Fest is back and returning to the Budweiser Stage this summer. The festival takes place on August 4 and 5, with B2K, Chingy, Ying Yang Twins, Lloyd, Mario, Pretty Ricky, and Bobby V scheduled for the first day. Day 2 just features Drake right now, but as always, OVO Fest is full of surprises, so that list of artists is bound to increase during the Fest.

When: August 4 and 5
Time: 6:30 pm to 11 pm
Where: Budweiser Stage

Dîner en Blanc

What: Toronto’s top-secret white party is set to pop-up once again this summer. Dîner en Blanc, the wildly popular and secretive annual event returns for its seventh year in Toronto and will see white-clad diners gather for an epic and visually stunning pop-up picnic on August 7.

When: August 7
Time: TBA
Where: TBA
Price: Register for the waitlist here

SummerWorks: Performance Festival

What: Canada’s largest curated performance festival of theatre, dance, music, and live art is back. It runs for 11 days along the always colourful and character-filled Queen Street West. This year’s Festival will showcase an expansive lineup of performance works from across the country, including pieces from some of Canada’s most acclaimed artists alongside work from auspicious emerging artists.

When: August 8 to 18
Time: 5 pm to 8 pm
Where: Multiple venues
Price: From $15

Boots and Hearts 2019

What: Dust off your cowboy boots and cowboy hat and get ready to experience Canada’s biggest country music festival. This year’s headliners include Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Marren Morris, Kane Brown, Cole Swindell, and Kip Moore.

When: August 8 to 11
Where: Burl’s Creek, Oro-Medonte, Ontario
Tickets: Available online from $229

Roundhouse Craft Beer Fest

What: Summer and craft beer are pretty much synonymous. Turning Roundhouse Park into a massive beer garden, Toronto Craft Beer Festival is a craft beer aficionado’s dream. You can expect refreshing brews, live music, and sizzling food vendors.

When: August 9 and 10
Time: Friday, 4 pm to 11 pm; Saturday, 12 pm to 6 pm
Where: Roundhouse Park, 255 Bremner Blvd.
Price: From $30.50

Jerkfest

What: Experience a weekend filled with arts, crafts, cultural entertainment, and – of course – plenty of jerk-style food of all varieties.

When: August 9 to 11
Time: Friday, 5 pm to 10 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 10 pm
Where: Centennial Park, at the base of Ski Hills, Etobicoke
Price: From $25

Vegandale Food and Drink Fest

What: Good news, plant-powered people… the Vegandale Food Festival will be returning to Toronto this summer. While this year’s vendor list hasn’t been officially released, the 2018 list has show-options like Champ’s Diner, V-Eats, Southern Fried Vegan, and Screamer’s Pizza. If those are any indication of this year’s plans, you know it’s going to be a delicious event.